Choosing the Right Shoes for Wide Leg Pants
The trend of wide leg pants has taken the fashion world by storm, providing a stylish and comfortable alternative to traditional fitted pants. As wide leg pants continue to gain popularity, it becomes essential to understand the importance of selecting the right shoes to complement this trendy attire.
Understanding Wide Leg Pants
Wide leg pants are usually characterised by their loose and flowing silhouette, providing a relaxed and elegant style. From palazzo pants to culottes, there is a wide array of options to suit various body types and preferences.
Our Brooklyn pants provide a stylish and modern take on the classic wide leg style with its flattering fit, making it perfect for all body shapes and sizes. The side slit and paperbag waistband also give it a unique and chic look that can be dressed up or down.
Matching Wide Leg Pants with Shoes
Wide leg pants are a chic fashion statement, and the perfect shoes can make all the difference in achieving your desired look. The basic rule of thumb is that wider pants need a shoe with more coverage and structure. Key factors to consider include material, heel style, and toe shape.
For example, when wearing Palazzo pants, the key is to choose a shoe that has a slight heel and some structure, like an ankle boot with minimal detail or an Oxford. For the most polished look, opt for something in leather or suede.
Types of Shoes to Wear with Wide Leg Pants
With so many shoe options available for wide leg pants, you’re sure to have just the right kicks already in your closet. Here’s a handy reference of what shoes will give you the look you’re after:
Sneakers
Sneakers offer a casual look that is both comfortable and stylish. The right pair of sneakers can add an edgy vibe to your outfit, while still keeping it laid-back and relaxed.
Sandals
When choosing sandals to wear with wide leg pants, look for styles that are low or mid-height. This will help create balance between the top and bottom half and give that airy, fresh look of your outfit.
Flats
Flats come in many styles such as ballet flats, loafers and espadrilles. These are a great choice when your day calls for a lot of walking or time on your feet. When wearing wide leg pants with flats, make sure the pants hit your ankle or just above for the best look.
Mules
The slip-on style makes them easy to put on without having to fiddle with laces or buckles. They’re carefree while still looking polished and professional. Choose pointed-toe mules or open-back mules for a more tailored look.
Loafers
Loafers offer a classic, professional, and timeless look that can easily be dressed up or down. This makes them perfect for a day at the office or for that day-to-dinner transition.
Ankle Boots
For an edgy street-style feel, opt for a pair of pointed-toe ankle boots with a low heel. To dress it up slightly, try wearing a pair of classic black leather ankle boots with stacked heels.
Heels
Heels add definition to the look and elongate your legs. Look for a heel that is neither too tall nor too thin; aim for one with a moderate height and width. This is the perfect choice for a night on the town.
Platforms
Platforms provide extra height and can make your legs look longer and leaner. Look for platforms with chunky heels or block heels that offers the best stability when walking.
Wedges
The wedge design provides the height of a heel without the discomfort associated with a skinny heels. Wear classic wedges with bold colour wide leg pants for an elegant look.
Matching Shoes with Specific Styles of Wide Leg Pants
Specific types of wide leg pants also work best with certain styles of shoes:
Palazzo Pants
The wider your pant leg is, the lower your heel should be. Low-block heels or wedge sandals will help balance out the wide shape of these pants and give you an elegant look that won't overpower them.
Culottes
With culottes, look for styles that are sleek and refined. Avoid clunky, chunky or overly bulky footwear as this can be too much in comparison to the breezy nature of the style. Try ankle boots, Mary Janes, sandals or loafers for a polished look.
High-Waisted Wide Leg Pants
To achieve an elegant silhouette, try pairing high-waisted wide leg pants with heeled sandals or pumps. For a more casual look, opt for ankle boots or block-heel boots.
Cropped Wide Leg Pants
With cropped wide leg pants, choose shoes with a heel that hits just below the ankle bone. Sandals or espadrille wedges work well. For an even more casual look, opt for slip-on sneakers or flat sandals.
Pleated Wide Leg Pants
For an elegant, classic look, opt for dressy pumps or heeled sandals in neutral colours such as black, brown or navy. If you want to make more of a statement, try bolder colours like red or green and pair them with open-toed booties or slip-on mules.
Colours and Materials
Wide leg pants can come in a wide variety of materials and colours, so it’s important to choose the right shoes that will complement them. For lighter-coloured fabrics such as linen or cotton, look for shoes with light colours such as pastels or whites. With darker fabrics like wool or tweed, darker tones like navy blues and greys tend to work best.
If you have patterned pants, like our Peaced Out Pant with a leopard print, make sure to pick a solid colour shoe that will complement and not clash with your pants. Try a metallic gold or silver shoe for an extra bit of shimmer.
When selecting material for your shoes, keep in mind how formal you want your outfit to be. If you’re going for a more formal look, leather or suede shoes tend to work best. For a more casual look, canvas or rubber-soled sneakers can be great options.
Accessorising with Shoes
Aside from shoes, picking the right accessories can take any outfit to the next level.
Belts and Shoes
Choose a belt that complements the look and colour of your outfit, such as black or brown leather belts to match dark shoe colours like navy blue, charcoal grey or black. Or go for something brighter like red or yellow when matching light-coloured ensembles.
Jewellery and Shoes
Long earrings, necklaces and bracelets all work well to add a bit of sparkle to the outfit. When accessorising with shoes, check the buckles, straps and design details, as these can dress up the look.
Bags and Shoes
When pairing bags and shoes with your wide leg pants, there's no hard-and-fast rule. The key is to dress for the occasion and your own personal style. For a more formal look, go with neutral colours like black or navy. If you're looking to have some fun with your outfit, try bold colours and patterns.
Occasions and Seasons
Additionally, different occasions and seasons require different kinds of shoes.
Formal Occasions
If you’re wearing wide leg pants to a wedding or formal event, you may want to opt for dressy heels with an elegant design. The sleek lines of the shoes will help to elongate your legs and make them look more slender.
Casual Occasions
Sneakers, sandals or ballet flats all make great choices for casual occasions such as going out with friends or running errands. Look for sneakers that are lightweight and breathable to keep your feet comfortable throughout the day.
Spring and Summer Seasons
Sandals are a great option in the spring and summer months when temperatures rise. Opt for a classic two-strap style or something more daring like an ankle wrap. Pair our Sicily pants with a pair of metallic sandals for an effortlessly cool look.
Fall and Winter Seasons
Opting for high-heeled ankle boots is a fashionable choice that can be worn with virtually any style of wide leg pants. For a more casual look, go with classic leather loafers or lace-up combat boots.
Considerations for Different Body Types
Wide leg pants are flattering for a variety of body types. Nonetheless, it's important to be mindful of the shoe styles that best complement your frame.
Pear-Shaped Bodies
Pear-shaped bodies tend to have wider hips and thinner torsos. For this body type, wedges or platform heels are the best options for adding height while balancing out the lower half of your figure.
Apple-Shaped Bodies
Look for shoes with chunky heels or wedges, as these will provide more stability than thinner heels and can help elongate your legs. Opt for closed-toe booties, loafers, or ankle boots to keep the look streamlined.
Hourglass-Shaped Bodies
Choose a pair of shoes with a low heel or flat sole that won't detract from the silhouette of your wide leg pants. Sneakers are always a good option as they will provide comfort and balance out the look.
Rectangle-Shaped Bodies
Look for shoes that add curves and volume. Check out ankle boots with a chunky heel to give the illusion of a curvier figure. To highlight your waist, opt for pointy-toe pumps or strappy sandals with high heels.
Do's and Don'ts
These are the do’s and don’ts to follow when choosing the best footwear to pair with your wide leg pants:
Do:
- Check the length of your wide leg pants
- Consider your body type and proportions
- Pay attention to the occasion and dress code
Don’t:
- Wear shoes with a narrow or pointy toe with wide leg pants
- Overwhelm your outfit with too many bold patterns and conflicting textures
- Ignore season and weather conditions
Tips for Creating Outfits with Wide Leg Pants and Shoes
Some additional tips to help you create beautiful outfits with wide leg pants:
Creating a Balanced Look
The goal should be to create a proportional look that showcases the wide leg silhouette of the pants. To ensure this, choose shoes that are slim and elongate the look of your legs.
Adding Layers and Accessories
Adding a blazer or a cardigan over a thin shirt or tank top can provide the right amount of contrast and texture to make an outfit look interesting. Accessories like scarves, statement jewelry, and colorful handbags can also take your outfit to the next level.
Styling for Different Occasions
Wide leg pants are a classic, timeless wardrobe staple that can be worn on almost any occasion. For a more versatile wardrobe, look for pieces that can be dressed up or down with the right styling.
Our Bee Maddison Bonnie Pants are the perfect example. They offer a flattering cut and fit, while making it easy to create different looks for any occasion.
Sustainability and Ethical Considerations
Opt for a shoe brand that values sustainability and ethical practices. This will help ensure that you're not contributing to any unethical labor or environmental practices.
There are many great brands out there today who offer sustainable and ethical shoe options. Look into companies such as Allbirds, Veja, and Reformation, among others.
Eco-friendly materials are also important. Look for shoes made from materials such as organic cotton, vegan leather, hemp, and even recycled plastic bottles.
Shoe Care
Taking care of your shoes is extremely important for keeping them looking their best and making sure they last. Clean them regularly with a soft cloth or brush, and use a special shoe cleaner if necessary.
Specific shoe materials such as leather and suede may require additional care, such as using a designated cleaner or conditioner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear boots with wide leg pants?
Yes, boots are a great choice for wide leg pants! The key is to choose the right style.
Can I wear sneakers with wide leg pants to work?
Sneakers can be an excellent choice to wear with wide leg pants for work. To ensure a polished, professional look, choose sneakers in muted colors like white or grey, and make sure they are clean and in good condition.
What shoes should I wear with cropped wide leg pants?
Try pairing them with pointed toe block heels or slip-on mules for an effortless and stylish look.
Can I wear heels with Palazzo pants?
Palazzos are generally a loose and comfortable style of pant, so the addition of heels will create a more dressed-up look.
Can I wear flats with culottes?
A pair of flats can be the perfect companion to your wide leg pants. You can choose from a variety of styles, such as ballet flats, loafers, or Oxfords.
Can I wear sandals with wide leg pants in winter?
To make your outfit stand out in the colder months, try pairing them with a pair of statement-making slides or gladiator sandals. Just remember to think about keeping your toes warm on especially cold days.
Step Up Your Fashion Game: Mastering the Art of Pairing Shoes with Wide Leg Pants
When it comes to fashion, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, with the right combination of shoes and wide leg pants, you can make a statement that stands out in any room.